Maine blueberry company orders raker to take down Confederate flag

[jpak]

http://bangordailynews.com/2017/08/16/news/hancock/maine-blueberry-company-orders-picker-to-take-down-confederate-flag/

A Maine blueberry company has apologized after local people complained that one of its rakers was flying a Confederate flag at a field in Sedgwick.

The man who flew the flag, Marc Pelletier of Steuben, said he agreed to take it down, but that he was offended he was asked to, and argued the Civil War symbol doesn’t make him a racist.

Pelletier, 55, who refers to himself as a “red-blooded Yankee Mainer,” said he is not a white nationalist. He flew the Confederate flag from his tractor, then a pole in the ground and from blueberry crates at the blueberry barrens on Old County Road in Sedgwick for two days before he agreed to remove it.

Nearby residents complained about seeing the Confederate flag, which has been the subject of renewed debate after white nationalists used the symbol during violent demonstrations in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one counterprotester dead and many people injured.

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[madokie]

1. An Idiot for tRump would be more like it

but then again I guess deplorables is a good substitute for ignorance

[lunasun]

2. Pelletier, 55, who refers to himself as a red-blooded Yankee Mainer, .......

Confederate flag?
I am so confused

[Act_of_Reparation]

8. As much as I love Maine...

...it's basically the Alabama of New England. Especially the interior.

[lunasun]

9. It was the self description as Yankee and flying the confederate flag thingy

Yes I have heard all about Maine
For decades

[underpants]

3. Never woulda picked him as a Trumper

[procon]

4. There's a Moran in need of his sign. nt

[Wounded Bear]

5. Perhaps he should watch Gettysburg...

It portrayed significant contributions of the 20th Maine Regiment fighting and defeating people carrying that flag at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Based on a true story, too.

[Tanuki]

6. Helps explain how a miscreant like LePage was elected governor of Maine.

[dalton99a]

7. Marc Pelletier's Southern heritage is strong

[eShirl]

10. It's no different from flying the Nazi flag

as far as I'm concerned.

We do see them together so often these days.

[Codeine]

11. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain is spinning

in his grave.

[alcibiades_mystery]

12. Word

[pandr32]

13. Well, I am offended that he was offended...

...that others were offended by his offensive display.

OMGawd--he has to know the display is intimidating to many people or why would he bother? He could just as easily be a "red-blooded Yankee Mainer" and display the American flag--after all, weren't the Yankees for the union and not the confederacy?

He moved the flag from his truck to the ground to blueberry crates before he finally agreed to take it down? Pa-lease!!! He was obviously being as obvious and in the face as he could get before it cost him his job! His rights, don't-cha-know!!! To hell with all those others whose "breathing" offends him? Not a racist much, eh???